Regional
Ty Tagami – Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA — Drivers are paying the 33-cent-per-gallon excise tax at Georgia gas pumps again, but the suspension that ended Tuesday saved them nearly $200 million in May.Motor fuel tax collections fell by $199.6 million, or 99.
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Kemp adds local sales‑tax option to special session
News Staff
By Ty Tagami,Bureau ChiefCapitol Beat News Serviceand Rose Scogginseditor@thehartwellsun.comATLANTA — Some homeowners could eventually see a rollback in their property tax bills after Gov. Brian Kemp revised his call for a special session.
Thursday, June 11, 2026
To cover tax cuts, Gov. Kemp nixes new funds
Ty Tagami – Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA — Among Gov. Brian Kemp's $300 million worth of vetoes earlier this month were money for reforestation, land conservation, historic building restoration, the arts and live performances and short-line railroads.
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Hart County Sheriff's Office Cpt. Matt Gulley helps the Lavonia Police Department retrieve a suspect out of the waters of Lake Hartwell in Gumlog following a stolen car chase May 24. Photo courtesy of the Lavonia Police Department.
Stolen car chase leads to arrest in lake
News Staff
By Shane ScogginsFranklin County Citizen LeaderA pursuit of a stolen vehicle ended Sunday when the vehicle wrecked on a bridge and a suspect jumped into Lake Hartwell.
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Gov. Brian Kemp signed a proclamation May 13 calling the Georgia General Assembly to return to the Capital for a special legislative session to begin June 17 for two election-related issues.
Kemp calls special session for redistricting and to resolve QR code voting issue
Ty Tagami – Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers will return to the state Capitol on June 17 to contend with two election-related issues under an order signed May 13 by Gov. Brian Kemp.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Democrats blast Kemp’s special session on maps, QR code
Ty Tagami – Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA — Democrats reacted angrily to Gov. Brian Kemp's call May 13 to rewrite electoral district lines after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in April.Kemp, a Republican, ordered a special legislative session for June 17 to redraw election maps after the high court ruled last month in Louisiana v.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Black lawmakers warn Kemp’s redistricting fight will put ‘old South’ on World Cup
Ty Tagami – Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA — Alleging racism, Black Georgia lawmakers assailed Gov. Brian Kemp's call for a special session to redraw election maps, saying Republicans want to drag the state back to the era before the civil rights movement.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Kemp extends gas tax break just in time for Memorial Day
Ty Tagami – Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA — Georgians and people visiting or just passing through the state will get a 33-cent per gallon break at the gas pump while traveling for Memorial Day.Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday used his authority under state law to declare a state of emergency due to spiraling fuel prices.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Runoff set for statewide races
News Staff
By Rose Scogginseditor@thehartwellsun.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
The Franklin-Hart Regional Airport Authority announced last week that the airport has secured more than $4.9 million in state and federal funding for increase its size, rehabilitate runways and build new hangars. Photo courtesy of the Franklin County Citizen Leader.
Airport secures nearly $5 million in state, federal funding
News Staff
By Shane ScogginsFranklin County Citizen LeaderThe Franklin-Hart Regional Airport Authority announced last week that the airport has secured more than $4.9 million in state and federal funding for increase its size, rehabilitate runways and build new hangars.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
